Research Associate (Action Labs)

ResGov; New Delhi; On-site; INR 334,800 - 558,000; Full time

Job summary

ResGov is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to the Action Lab which strengthens local governance. The role involves developing research products, conducting field research in Karnataka, and collaborating with local stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will have a postgraduate degree in public policy or a related field, strong research skills, and 1-2 years of experience in governance, public finance or rural development. Proficiency in Kannada is a plus.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of relevant research or programme experience, ideally in local governance or public finance.
• Familiarity with India's Panchayati Raj system and rural development programmes is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of Kannada for field interactions in Karnataka is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous literature reviews and design toolkits for local governance.
• Document field evidence in case studies and policy briefs.
• Conduct field research including interviews and focus group discussions.

Skills

Research and writing skills

Field research

Data analysis

Knowledge of local governance

Education

Postgraduate degree in public policy, development studies, or related field

Job description

The Foundation for Responsive Governance (ResGov) is working to strengthen capabilities to ensure public initiatives reach the most vulnerable. Our team is passionate about making a difference and driving tangible progress by addressing emerging themes such as strengthening local governments, addressing climate and geographic vulnerabilities and enabling responsive digital governance. At ResGov, we value creativity, collaboration, and innovation. We are a dynamic team committed to making a meaningful impact through data-driven research and grassroots-level engagement.

About the Project

The ResGov Action Lab works to strengthen local governance by building the capacities of the people and institutions responsible for delivering development at the grassroots. The Lab designs and implements practice-oriented capacity building interventions with local governance stakeholders, generating insights from on-ground implementation and translating them into actionable knowledge for wider adoption.

Working across themes of local governance, public finance management, and digital governance, the Action Lab collaborates with elected representatives, frontline functionaries, government officials, and citizens/civil society organisations to improve how governance systems respond to community needs. Through its work, the Lab seeks to bridge the gap between policy knowledge and implementation realities by creating practical learning models, tools, and institutional approaches that can be adapted across contexts.

About the Role

The Research Associate will be responsible for developing the research products, technical frameworks, and practical tools for the Action Lab. This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable synthesising academic literature and conducting field research, and who is motivated by the idea of producing work that practitioners and policymakers can apply in their work.

The role sits at the intersection of research and practice. The RA will work closely with the Action Lab Lead and programme team, contributing to both the knowledge production side of the Lab and its implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Developing Knowledge Products

• Conduct rigorous literature reviews and desk research to inform the development of toolkits, frameworks, and knowledge products on local governance, public finance, and climate adaptation
• Develop practical, field-validated tools and frameworks that can be used by elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries, and government officials - including application-based frameworks and capacity-building guides
• Document field evidence in the form of case studies, working papers, and policy briefs that contribute to the organisation’s research agenda and external positioning
• Over time, identify opportunities for new niche research and toolkit development that can deepen ResGov’s engagement.
• Contribute to the design and continuous improvement of training curricula, facilitation guides, and capacity building resources used in Action Lab programmes
• Support the Action Lab team with data analysis and evidence to inform programme decisions and strategy
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation frameworks that capture programme outcomes in a form useful to funders, government partners, and policy stakeholders
• Support proposal development and grant reporting by providing research inputs, programme evidence, and data analysis

Field Work

• Conduct field research in Karnataka and other geographies as required, including interviews, focus group discussions, and observation of programme activities
• Visit field sites regularly to gather primary data, validate frameworks and tools in practice, and document ground-level evidence
• Engage directly with EWRs, Panchayat functionaries, and community members to ensure that knowledge products are grounded in the actual contexts and constraints of local governance
• Support the identification and documentation of case studies from the field, capturing both successes and failures with rigour and honesty

Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate degree in public policy, development studies, political science, economics, environmental studies, or a related field
• 1-2 years of relevant research or programme experience, ideally in local governance, public finance, rural development, or climate and environment
• Strong research and writing skills - ability to synthesise complex bodies of literature into clear, accessible outputs for practitioner and policy audiences
• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods; comfort with field research and primary data collection
• Familiarity with India’s Panchayati Raj system, local governance structures, or rural development programmes is an advantage
• Working knowledge of Kannada is desirable for field interactions in Karnataka; not mandatory
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple workstreams, and communicate proactively in a small, fast-moving team